Ideal Weight Helps to Keep Your Feet Problem Free

Our feet are amazing structures.  They carry tremendous loads every day.  If we think about it, each foot supports and moves the weight of our entire body with every step we take. Carry something and that increases the load on top of your full body weight. (I’ve seen some tough guys in the gym perform calf raises for 10 repetitions with full body weight plus 700 lbs. on top of that—wow!!)

We expect a lot out of our feet. We want them to last many decades, perform minimal maintenance on them, be strong and look great all the time.  OK, let’s think about that idea. 

We know that the mechanical things that we use in our lives require maintenance and are limited to the suggested loading for which they were manufactured.  We would not want to overload our subcompact car by pulling a huge, heavy trailer that exceeds the auto manufacturer’s ratings, let alone doing that every day.

But when we are overweight, we are carrying excess weight every day that increases the chance of developing foot problems.  Even an extra 10 to 20 pounds can have a substantial impact on your feet and ankles, and can trigger pain. Being overweight can modify the biomechanics of your feet.

Recent studies have shown that those of us who are overweight experience more heel pain, tendonitis, arthritis, ball-of-foot pain, fractures and sprains in their feet and ankles than individuals at their normal ideal weight.

Some of the most common foot problems from being overweight include:

Tendonitis: When the feet have to bear extra weight, it can eventually cause the tendons and ligaments to be overtaxed, which leads to injury and inflammation.

Plantar Fasciitis: Excess weight strains the plantar fascia, overtaxing and weakening it. They then can become inflamed and irritated.

Fallen Arches: An increase in body weight and pressure causes the supporting structures in your feet (muscles, tendons, and ligaments) to become stretched and weakened. They can break down over time. When the muscle which gives the foot its arch weakens the arches are affected. Other problems such as knee and hip pain could result.

Carrying extra weight can also cause changes in posture, changes in gait and could lead to possible stress fractures in the foot.

Getting to our ideal weight can help ease pain and will reduce problems caused by carrying extra loading.

Alright, so we know we have to shed the extra pounds but it's hard to meet the goals when your feet hurt.

But it can be done.

There are low-impact activities that don’t require you to increase the load on your feet, such as swimming or pool (water) aerobics. Also what we eat is just as important.  Good healthy nutrition goes a long way in getting our metabolic “fires” burning and helps us lose the extra pounds. Good footwear will help too!

Always start any new exercise and/or modified diet program slowly and work with your physician and podiatrist to find safe/healthy exercise programs and diet modifications. Get with your foot doctor to find the best, supportive footwear for your specific needs.

If you are experiencing foot/ankle pain or unusual symptoms and conditions, please contact us and let Dr. Jacob, Dr. Miranpuri and our great staff assist you and bring you comfort and relief. 

Call us at:

Madison Podiatry Associates

Here in Sterling Heights, MI

1-586-997-5000

Or click on the link below to go directly to or “contact us” webpage:

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Some Common Foot Myths

Sometimes what we think about things just really turn out to be long standing myths. Some of the ones we have heard regarding foot conditions and care are often mildly humorous.

There are foot condition andtreatment myths which can be harmful and border on being dangerous. Here are a few that we have found that need to be explained and dispelled:

The corn on your toe has a "root" in your foot.

A corn is a small buildup of skin with a hard core, caused by friction where the toe knuckle rubs against footwear. It's normally related to hammertoes and only surgery on the toe can reduce the risk of corn growth. Doctors warn that attempting to cut off a corn or applying medicated corn pads can lead to serious infection and other serious complications, so get your foot doctor's recommendation before self-treating the problem.

Cutting a small “V” in your nail will cure ingrown toenails.

 Toenails grow from the nail matrix that is located just beneath the skin at the base of the toenail.  Putting a small center “V” notch at the end of the nail will not cause the nail edges to come away from the skin because the nail will not grow together at the “V”. Ingrown nails can be prevented permanently with a minor surgical procedure in which the growth plate (nail matrix) on the affected side of the nail is destroyed.

Warts can be “suffocated” with duct tape or salve.

Warts are living viruses but, unfortunately they cannot be suffocated. Warts can appear anywhere, but only the ones on the sole of the foot are properly called plantar warts.

A safe and appropriate wart-removal regimen needs to be recommended by your podiatrist. Most of the time removal of warts by a simple surgical procedure, performed under local anesthesia, may be indicated. People with diabetes or circulatory, immunological, or neurological problems should be especially careful with the treatment of their warts and seek professional care at all times.

Heel spurs are “calcium deposits.”

Heel spur syndrome is generally the result of stress on the muscles and fascia of the foot. This stress may form a spur on the bottom of the heel. While some spurs are painless, others may produce long term constant pain. Based on the condition and the chronic nature of the disease, heel surgery can provide relief of pain and restore mobility in many cases. Your foot doctor will determine the best method for you.

“It doesn’t hurt, so that ulcer can’t be too bad.”

 For patients with diabetes, an ulcer or open sore on the foot should not ever be ignored (regardless of whether it hurts or not). Diabetes can cause nerve damage in the legs and feet, which can lead to the inability to feel pain. Due to poor blood flow, small sores and cuts that go unnoticed on the feet can lead to hard-to-heal wounds called diabetic ulcers. It is extremely important for patients with diabetes to schedule regular appointments with a podiatrist.

It's not possible to walk on a broken foot.

Actually it is possible.  The belief that if you can walk on a painful foot it is not broken can make the damage worse.   Make sure you get your foot looked at immediately if there has been an injury of this nature.

There’s nothing they can do for a broken toe.

  19 of the bones in the foot are toe bones. There are procedures that exist that can help broken toes heal better and prevent problems later on.  Broken toes that aren't treated correctly can also make walking and wearing shoes difficult. A foot/ankle doctor is able to x-ray the toe to learn more about the fracture. If the broken toe is out of alignment, the surgeon may have to insert a pin, screw or plate to reposition the bone.

If you are experiencing the above symptoms and conditions on your feet and ankles, please contact us and let Dr. Jacob, Dr. Miranpuri and our great staff assist you and bring you comfort and relief. 

Call us at:

Madison Podiatry Associates

Here in Sterling Heights, MI

1-586-997-5000

Or click on the link below to go directly to or “contact us” webpage: 

Contact Us

Bicycling and Your Feet

In the early 1900s, cycling was one of the more popular ways to get around town. Ironically, cyclists clamoring for improved roads helped set the stage for the automobile, which reverted the use of the bicycle back to more of a recreational mode of transportation, for a while.

Today, cycling is more than just recreational as people are using it as a means to cut their energy usage, costs, and help to stay in shape and improve their cardiovascular fitness. More than 100 million Americans ride bicycles, according to the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine. In New York City alone, 100,000 people cycle to work each day.

Your feet are extremely important in cycling. When you are cycling the forces generated in your body to move the pedals get applied, ultimately, to your feet. It is through the feet that the force is applied to the pedals to make the cycle move. Because of this we have to be aware that there could be some issues that come up in relation to your feet. Additionally things that are wrong with the foot and its alignment can affect what happens in the rest of the lower limb.

Some of the foot problems associated with cycling can be irritation and inflammation of tendons in the foot, ruptured or inflamed bones in the toes and nerve impingement. These conditions can lead to pain, burning, tingling, numbness and even loss of muscle control. It's important to address pain, which is often a symptom.

It is of utmost importance that the proper bicycle is selected and that it is set up properly to meet your specific needs. Wearing the right footwear to fit the “job at hand” is equally important. Cycling shoes must be of the proper construction to efficiently transfer power from your feet to the pedals. If the shoes lack of shank support then the foot might collapse through the arch while pedaling. This could cause arch pain, tendon problems, or burning under the bottom of the foot. A rigid shank protects your feet from the loads applied during pedaling.

Getting yourself some cycling-specific shoes is necessary if you have had problems with your feet or wear orthotic shoe inserts. Most orthoses control the arch and heel and when used for cycling they require critical balancing. Riders with mild bunions or hammertoes will need to select a wider, deeper shoe that will accommodate the condition.

Select a shoe that's right for you and is designed for your biking conditions and your foot condition.  Your podiatrist can assist you in choosing the right shoes. For the casual rider without known foot problems, cross-training shoes will probably provide the required support across the arch and instep in a shoe, but it is good to check anyway. Proper shoes are important to achieve maximum efficiency in transferring power generated by the hips to the foot.

Biomechanics, the study of external forces on the body, plays a crucial role in efficient, satisfying cycling. For example, when seated on a bike with hands on the handlebars, the hands, shoulders, and front axle should all be in line.

By analyzing and working out the biomechanics of the foot, podiatrists specializing in sports medicine can improve the functions of related body parts. If there are issues such as knee pain after a long ride this may be an indication of a biomechanical imbalance. A podiatrist may be able to mitigate the pain by correcting the imbalance through the use of prescription orthotic shoe inserts. Training and conditioning methods also need to be analyzed.

Podiatrists will advise stretching the major muscle groups used in before and after getting on the bike. Riders should start slowly and work up to normal cadence, or rate of pedaling. The seat is at the proper height when knees are slightly flexed and hips are over the knees. Pulse rates need to be monitored so that you are in the proper range. Your podiatrist can help with this too.

Sometimes cyclists sustain injuries by pushing themselves beyond their limitations. When that happens some of the conditions that podiatrists treat are:

Achilles Tendinitis

Circulation Issues

Nerve Conditions

Neuromas

Knee Pain

Numbness

Sesamoiditis

Shin Splints

(As with all athletic injuries, pain that is persistent indicates a need to seek treatment from a specialist).

Of course when you do cycle, you need to make sure to use all the proper safety gear such as helmets, pads, eye protection just to name a few. Also make sure your bike is “street legal” for your community, and mechanically sound and safe.

Before beginning your cycling program, you will need to check with your physician.

If you are experiencing foot/ankle pain or unusual symptoms, please contact us and let Dr. Jacob, Dr. Miranpuri and our great staff assist you and bring you comfort and relief. 

Call us at:

Madison Podiatry Associates

Here in Sterling Heights, MI

1-586-997-5000

Or click on the link below to go directly to our “Contact Us” webpage:

Contact Us

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CRACKED HEELS

Cracked heels (often referred to as “heel fissures”) are a pretty common foot problem. There are several causes of cracked heels (including foot fungus!).

Wearing flip-flops and walking around barefoot is something that we all like to do in the summer, but, that can be damaging to our feet.  Constantly exposing your feet to the air and heat can dry out the skin, this can create calluses. When the calluses are formed, further pressure and drying can make matters worse causing the calluses to fissure (crack). If the conditions that caused the callus and the cracking continue they can actually become deeper, split further and might even to begin to bleed.  When this happens it is very likely that an infection will develop.  So it can be seen there are degrees of severity, ranging from “cosmetic” to “extremely severe” and it depends on a lot of variables.

Foot fungus (such as athlete’s foot) can also be the cause of cracking and fissuring. This infection will require a different type of treatment than just “drying, cracking skin”. So it is important to know the difference.

If some of your home remedies are not working because the skin on your feet is extremely dry or you already have big cracks, make an appointment with a podiatrist. The doctor can help get rid of the hard, dry skin on your feet so that your fissure can heal. They can also check for fungal infections. (Moisturizing is not the best idea when we are trying to fight a fungal infection; it just adds moisture and feeds the little “critters”.)

Remember that we have to prevent the callusing and getting fungal infections at the same time since they both can cause cracking, splitting and fissuring. Since the objective is to prevent the cracking and fissuring right from the “get go”, it is recommended you see your podiatrist for a checkup and get the information on the proper methods of prevention.

If you are experiencing the above symptoms and conditions on your feet and ankles, please contact us and let Dr. Jacob, Dr. Miranpuri and our great staff assist you and bring you comfort and relief. 

Call us at:

Madison Podiatry Associates

Here in Sterling Heights, MI

1-586-997-5000

Or click on the link below to go directly to or “contact” webpage: 

Contact Us

What is Trench Foot?

Trench foot is a medical condition characterized by irritation, rash formation, and ulceration in the foot’s protective skin layer resulting from a prolonged exposure of the feet to damp, wet, unsanitary, and cold conditions. It describes injuries of the foot due to water and cold exposure at sustained temperatures ranging from 32-65 degrees Fahrenheit. (Trench foot differs from frostbite which is the actual freezing of cells at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit).

The word “trench” was used to describe this disease because it occurred very often in the trench warfare of World War 1.  Soldiers suffered from this disease after having their feet exposed to the prolonged wet generally nasty conditions and the wearing of constrictive non-waterproof footwear in the trenches during the war. This disease is most prevalent during rainy days, especially in places where flooding often occurs. The condition can occur after several hours' exposure.

The disease is common to those people who wear constrictive footwear and then have their feet exposed to moisture and cold environment.

Constrictive foot wear can contribute to the impairment of blood circulation to the foot which restricts the flow of oxygen and other nutrients to the foot. Cold conditions will contribute to decreased blood flow in the foot’s skin as it promotes narrowing of the blood vessels (vaso-constriction). Prolonged depletion of the foot from oxygen will lead to tissue death which is manifested by ulcer formation. This could be worsened by other factors such infection, lengthened contact to moisture and constant scratching of the skin.

Due to long-drawn-out contact to moisture the skin integrity of the foot is impaired. This will cause the foot to experience itchiness, rash formation, and drying of the foot’s protective skin layer. Moisture also promotes bacterial and fungal growth which can contribute to the worsening of the disease.

Trench foot in advanced stages often has open sores as well as blisters and ulcerations.

The disease normally starts with a tingling or itching sensation accompanied by pain, swelling and numbness. This usually is felt right after removing the foot from being soaked for a long time. The symptoms will then progress to rash formation and then becomes ulcerations. If the disease isn’t properly and quickly treated, it may lead to some serious long term damage; sometimes progressing to gangrene as the foot tissue begins to die.

A person suffering from trench foot may experience the following symptoms:

 Tingling or itching sensation in the affected site

 Pain

 Swelling

 Cold, blotchy skin

 Numbness on affected part

 Prickling or heavy feeling on affected foot

 Blister formation on affected area

 Tingling and/or itching sensation

 Burning sensation

 Loss of feeling

 Foot can appear cyanotic (gray)

 Foot is dry, red as well as painful after warming

 Fissures as well as maceration of the skin is common

 Skin as well as tissue dying and falling off

 Can involve heel, toes, and entire foot

Trench Foot Prevention

Limiting exposure to cold and damp conditions is very important in stopping as well as treating trench foot. It is absolutely necessary to maintain a dry environment inside your foot-wear. Controlling any excessive perspiration will also help

Trench foot can be prevented before it starts through the practice of proper foot hygiene, constant changing of socks, keeping the foot dry and clean and by wearing the proper non-constrictive foot-wear for the conditions.

When exposed to wet and cold condition, the feet should be air-dried and elevated and there should be an exchange of wet socks and shoes for dry ones so that trench foot does not begin to develop.

Trench Foot Treatment

If the symptoms of “Trench foot” show up you need to get to your doctor right away. Medical treatment needs be obtained as quickly as possible.

The treatment for this condition can be very close to the treatment for frostbite.

If the feet have any wounds, they will become very prone to infection. Your feet should be checked daily for worsening of symptoms or signs of infections.

If you are experiencing foot and ankle pain or have unusual symptoms please remember that this is not normal.  Let Dr. Jacob, Dr. Miranpuri and our great staff help you.

Madison Podiatry Associates

In Sterling Heights, MI

1-586-997-5000

Or click on the link below to go directly to our contact webpage:

Contact Us